Media outlets are reporting three motorcycle crashes in the Charleston, SC area in recent weeks including motorcycle wrecks in Summerville, Mount Pleasant, and on I-26 in Dorchester County.
Motorcycle Crash in Summerville, SC
There was a “serious” crash in Summerville, SC on February 3rd that shut down the intersection at Ladson Road and Dorchester Road:
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) – Summerville Police an intersection shut down Thursday morning reopened just before 2 p.m., approximately three hours after the crash.
Police said the crash, which they described as “serious,” involved a motorcycle and closed the intersection of Ladson Road at Dorchester Road shortly before 11 a.m.
Summerville Police Lt. Chris Hirsch confirmed the crash involved a motorcycle, but did not immediately have details on the extent of any injuries.
On its Twitter page, police asked drivers to “please be patient while officers work the scene.”
Fatal Motorcycle Collision in Mount Pleasant, SC
A motorcyclist was killed when a motorcycle and an SUV collided in Mount Pleasant on Wando Park Boulevard last Wednesday:
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) – Police say one person died in an accident involving a motorcycle and SUV in Mount Pleasant Wednesday afternoon.
It happened in the area of 474 Wando Park Boulevard and had shut down all traffic lanes for two hours. Those lanes have since been reopened.
The coroner’s office has not yet identified the deceased.
Police responded to the scene at 1:30 p.m., and said the motorcyclist died on the scene.
Fatal Motorcycle Crash on I-26 in Dorchester County
Another motorcyclist was killed in a crash on I-26 in Dorchester County near Harleyville last week:
DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) – Troopers say one person died in a motorcycle accident on I-26 in Dorchester County on Tuesday morning.
It happened at 11:32 a.m. on the westbound lanes of I-26 on mile marker 177 near Harleyville.
Trooper Nick Pye said a 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle ran off the road and spilled over. The driver suffered fatal injuries.
Driver in West Ashley Motorcycle Crash Charged Criminally
The driver in a West Ashley motorcycle collision last December is charged criminally after police determine she crossed the center line, hitting two motorcycles in a head-on collision and killing two people:
An incident report stated the crash involved two motorcycles and a Nissan Sentra sedan on Magwood Drive between Ashley Crossing Drive and Charlie Hall Boulevard. Belue was driving one of the motorcycles and Cook was a passenger, O’Neal said.
Police said the driver of the other motorcycle and the driver of the car were taken to an area hospital for treatment, she said.
The driver of the sedan suffered critical injuries in the collision and was being treated at an area hospital, police said at the time. The driver of the second motorcycle suffered minor injuries, police said.
The sedan was traveling south on Magwood Drive while the two motorcycles were traveling north, an incident report states. Police say the Nissan veered across the center line, colliding head on with the lead motorcycle and killing both the male driver and female passenger.
The car then struck the second motorcycle, causing minor injuries to the lone operator, police said.
Motorcycle Crashes Caused by Another Driver’s Negligence
When a motorcycle crash is caused by another driver’s negligence, the at-fault driver is responsible for all damages that result, including:
- Wrongful death damages,
- Compensation for the survivors of a crash victim,
- All medical costs current and future,
- Pain and suffering, and
- Punitive damages when appropriate.
When a reckless driver’s actions result in a criminal conviction, they have committed “negligence per se,” and their liability is clear. When a reckless driver’s actions could have resulted in a felony conviction, the cap for punitive damages is increased to four times the amount of compensatory damages or $2 million, whichever is greater.
When a reckless driver’s actions result in a felony conviction or if the defendant was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, there is no cap on punitive damages.
Your Charleston, SC motorcycle crash lawyer at the Boles Law Firm will help you to determine who was liable, demand full and fair compensation from the insurance companies, file a lawsuit on your behalf, and take your case to trial if the insurance companies do not pay the damages that you are entitled to under SC law and the facts of your case.
Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes
In some cases, you may be entitled to compensation for a crash even when there is no other vehicle involved:
- If you are a passenger on a motorcycle, the driver (and their insurance companies) is responsible for compensation for your injuries even when there is no other vehicle involved in the wreck, and
- If you were the sole rider, depending on the types of insurance policies you have purchased, your insurance company may be responsible for compensating you 1) for the property damage to your motorcycle and 2) for your injuries up to your policy limits.
Your motorcycle crash lawyer in Walterboro, Greenville, and North Charleston, SC will help you to identify all sources of recovery, including uninsured or underinsured coverage, umbrella policies, PIP/MedPay coverage, and third parties who may be liable for the crash.
Motorcycle Crash Attorneys in Charleston, SC
Charleston motorcycle crash lawyer Dan Boles devotes a significant amount of his time to helping injured motorcyclists and has the experience that you need to investigate your motorcycle crash, negotiate with difficult insurance carriers, and try your case to a jury if you aren’t paid the full and fair value of your claim.
Call us at 843-576-5775 to schedule an appointment for a free consultation at our North Charleston or Walterboro offices or send us a message through our website.
